ON GEOTRUPES. 315 



curved, extending as f;\r back as the third and even second joint. In 

 the females the same tarsi are thickened, less so however than in the 

 males. The internal apical spine of the middle tibia equals in length 

 the first four joints of the tarsus, in both sexes. 



This subgenus has been divided into two groups, 1st, head tubercu- 

 late, thorax margined posteriorly, 2nd, head not tuberculate, thorax 

 without posterior margin. These characters are subject to great varia- 

 tion, though in the first group the head is never so smooth and the 

 margin so nearly absent in any one specimen as to require its position 

 in the second group In the second group, though the thorax may 

 have a distinct margin behind, the head is never tuberculate. The 

 posterior thoracic margin is defined by a well marked' line, and the 

 thorax is said to be imniarginate when tliis line is absent or re- 

 placed by a few distant punctures only. Individuals occur in semi- 

 opacus in which the margin is quite distinct. These two groups have 

 a different appearance. The first more or less metallic or shining, the 

 striaj punctured in a greater or less degree. The second group con- 

 tains species more or less opaque, with the dorsal stria; entirely im- 

 punctured. 



In the first group Jekel mentions three species as occuring in our 

 territory, splenduhis Fab., Starkii Jekel, mi(irnp]ia(jus (Say) Jekel, 

 in the ■g,econi\., seininpacnsi Jekel and Melsheimcri Jekel; one other in 

 each group is mentioned as possibly occurring in our territory. 



With uphndidus Fab. as a starting point in the first group, the other 

 two species will be compared and their value determined. 



G. splendidus Fab. — In every collection I have examined, this spe- 

 ies has been found with the correct name, though as varieties of the 

 same were to be found several of the other species whose color hap- 

 pened to be more brilliant than common. When of typical form and 

 color, there can be no trouble in recognizing this species, though it 

 varies in color through all the shades from brilliant metallic green to 

 a dark bronze, and in size from .4() to .U8 inch.* 



Before considering the varieties of splcndi'dus. better results would 

 be produced by reviewing the difi"erences between it and mlarophafjus 

 Jekel. 



G. yniai'opJwr/uf! is defined as a " very large sjihiuh'diis. of which the 

 color above is violet or purple, sometimes bronze, generally moderately 

 brilliant but not metallic, always darker and duller beneath." The 



* These and all subsequent measurements will be considered as having been 

 made from the anterior thoracic margin to the apex of the elytra. 



